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Devon frowns. “Chari had a . . . thing for you.”
“I know that. What does some schoolgirl crush have to do with this?”
“Schoolgirl crush?” he says, brows rising. “I think it was more than that.”
My heart races at the possibility that Chari might have had a thing for me for longer than I’d realized. “Like in high school?”
Devon makes a face.
“Middle school?”
That, I wasn’t aware of.
“Try again.”
“Grade school?” I say incredulously. “You’re kidding me.”
But he isn’t. I can tell by his expression.
“She got better at hiding it, even from me. But I’m pretty sure my sister has had a crush on you for basically forever.”
“That doesn’t change anything.”
And it doesn’t. Except I kind of like it and look forward to teasing her about it.
“The hell it doesn’t. She’s been half in love with you her whole life. And now you swoop in with all of this.” He waves his arms at me.
“I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean.”
“Most guys don’t take their girlfriends to Switzerland on a second date.”
I smile, unable to help it. “We haven’t firmed up that status yet. And third date. I’m counting this as our second.”
Devon gives me a look. “I suggest you firm up your status fairly quickly. I know you wouldn’t intentionally hurt her, Enzo. But you guys have history. And that matters. Don’t break her fucking heart.”
“If I do, you have my permission to beat me to a bloody pulp.”
I mean that, and Devon could certainly do it. He’s been boxing since before he could ride a bike. It didn’t matter that I worked out five days a week or grew up with two brothers who liked to wrestle. But I have no intention of breaking Chari’s heart. I might not have a clear idea of where this is going, but I’m in it, all the way.
“We should have told you sooner,” I continue. “I’m glad you know now, Dev. I would have stayed away if I could’ve, but I couldn’t get her out of my head. There’s just something about you Atwoods . . .”
Devon knows I’m being serious. Finally, still unsmiling, he sticks out his hand.
“You have my blessing, but I’m also serious about what I said. Don’t think I’m above taking you up on your offer.”
“I know you’re not,” I say, deadly serious, and shake his hand. I’m glad this is over—that he knows—but I feel even more unsettled than before. Because I’m asking myself if I deserve the blessing my friend hesitantly gave me.
I’m not so sure that I do.
18
Chari
“You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin,” Mom says.
She’s right. I feel like it too.
“Maybe a little.”
